1)      Phones/electronic devices AWAY – I don’t care what new-age technologically advanced world we live in, dinner is a time to converse one-on-one with other, real life, human beings. Take that time to learn from a shared experience, a conversation.

2)      Eye contact – no matter how seemingly important one person may be, focus in on every single person there…with your EYEBALLS. Yes, that’s right. If you are speaking, make everyone feel important & engage each person by looking them square in the eyes. It not only makes you a captivating story-teller, but it also makes each person feel as if they’re on an equal playing field which is, frankly, the way it should be. This, in turn, fosters conversation.

3)      Share – not everyone is going to feel comfortable with this one, but I am all about family style when it comes to food. I love trying new things and feel that you break down umpteen barriers when you simply order different dishes with share plates. It makes the meal interactive & everyone feels more comfortable with one another. Again, convo flows.. naturally.

4)      Wine – never just refill your own glass (this goes with water as well if there is a pitcher on the table). Be considerate and refill your neighbor’s first if they give you the nod. But certainly don’t refill your own, set the bottle down and ignore the fact that your neighbor may have an empty glass. This is just a life lesson: Don’t be selfish.

1. Sub-bullet since this is a wineblog, after all. Pick up on the fact that you are trying the same wine with different foods. This is an extraordinary way to experience a meal, especially if there are many different types of food being passed around! This changes the wine profile with each bite of a new dish. Talk about this even if the company may not be “into it” or at least bring peoples’ awareness to the fact that the wine is dynamic.

5)      Conversation – no ONE person should dominate the discussion because it is then in fact not a discussion at all, but rather a lecture or a preaching. Ask questions to others at the table, whether you know them or not. TRULY ENGAGE. This can be difficult, especially if you are still dwelling on things from earlier in the day. However, put yourself and your issues aside, and learn. Look at this as an opportunity to learn what makes other people tick. If someone goes on and on about themselves, well it may not be someone that I’ll likely  dine with on a regular basis, but I might be able to take something away from the (one-sided) conversation. Real-life conversations are not twitter. Rather – they are two-way.

6)      Indulge – dinner is a treat when eating out with others. It has the possibility to stimulate us on so many levels. Taste each bite, savor each piece of conversation and remember each sip of wine.

All in all, a good meal or dinner should last more than two hours. Why? If you are truly engaged, sharing food, learning about one another, and completely stimulated – that is mentally, emotionally and physically, then in my opinion, you should have no desire to pick up an external device or check the latest score. Be in the moment. Be present. And most importantly, care. Show those people around you care by looking them in the eye when they speak and vice versa. Listen and respond. Don’t pretend you’re listening while texting away. This is what kills social media – when it interferes with real socializing.

Until the next (wine) posting, drink up, and have a lovely dinner. Please let me know what you think in your comments (or add to the list). xo, linds